Qik prepares to turn on mobile video chat with EVO 4G

The company is set to turn on a new update to its Qik application that will allow users of the new Sprint EVO 4G, which goes on sale tomorrow, to video chat for free. This will really be the first time we video chat mobile to mobile here in the U.S.

“It’s a new paradigm for communication,” said Rishi Mallik, director of product at Qik. “People started with simple voice calls and then we moved to SMS and IM. Video has been there for a long time, but with this launch the time is right,” for mobile video chatting.

Mallik talked me through the basics of Qik two-way video chatting. He said EVO users will be able to fire up the Qik application and access their contacts list to start a chat. A chat request will be sent to another Qik user’s phone number. If the person on the other end has the ability to run two-way chats, they’ll get a request notification to begin chatting.

If the recipient isn’t set up to take two-way chats, they’ll get a URL that takes them to a web page where they can see and hear the other person one way.

The service, which works over 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi, will be free though Qik is looking at releasing premium features that will require some payment. Qik is also looking at creating cross compatibility with web-cam enabled PCs.

Mallik said the plan is to enable Qik users on various mobile devices to be able to talk to each other. So in the event that Apple unveils a new iPhone Monday with a forward-facing camera, Qik will be working to update its iPhone app to include cross-platform video chat functionality.

Mallik said Qik has done a lot of work to enable two-way video chat. The software scans the network strength ten times a second and adjusts dynamically to maintain a constant stream. Priority is given to the audio track to ensure you can understand what the other person is saying. The result is a stream with 200-500 milliseconds of latency, less than half a second.

Some people wonder how much we’ll actually be video chatting over mobile phones. Mallik said he expects most Qik users will primarily use Qik to broadcast events and what they’re seeing, not conduct conversations.

But I think this will be a really cool option to have. It won’t be for every conversation but sometimes, it’s cool to talk face-to-face. I’m glad to see Qik and Sprint making that happen.

UPDATE: Sprint has sent over some more information about the chat service from Qik. The free chat service will offer 640×480 video quality. But for things like 480p video and higher, unlimited video archiving and video mail, priority support, the ability to upload and share videos from native phone camera app, you’ll have to pay $4.99 a month. Premium services will be free until July 15, 2010.

Users will also be able to live share to Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and YouTube. And soon, you’ll get support for live sharing to instant messaging services.